Hey Everyone! Thanks again for checking in. I appreciate so much you taking the time to follow this journey. Your comments have been great and I appreciate hearing from you more than you’ll ever know.
So, let’s get started. Sal and I began our day with the normal craziness of getting ourselves ready for the day, getting Jameson, our five year old daughter, ready for kindergarten (yesterday was her first day of school), getting our son, Chase (we do not refer to him as the middle child – he told us today that he’s the king, Jameson is the princess, and Cameron is the queen – so, there you go!), ready for school, and getting Cam ready for the day. We dropped Chase off for his first day of Pre-K 4. He’s a big boy this year and is very excited! We dropped James off, as well, and Cam stayed back with my Mom and Aunt Tina.
Sal and I proceeded to Dr. Saidman’s office for round 1 of 4 treatments of Adriamycin and Cytoxan. The entire procedure took about 4 hours. I was pre-treated with some anti-nausea meds as well as a steroid and normal saline. As always, the anticipation was much worse than getting the actual chemo. My friend, Erin, suggested making the treatment room a “full service” area by offering manicures and pedicures. I agree 100%! We had a wonderful nurse, Lisa, who took care of us this morning. She was an absolute doll and we plan on requesting her for the remainder of our treatments. It’s a small world being that her children attend/graduated from our children’s grade school. She’s also pals with one of Chase’s teachers, Mrs. Loftus, who just rocks! Actually, the entire school administration is awesome. Mrs. Simkulak, Mrs. Rafferty, Ms. Gilmartin and the rest of the faculty and staff have been absolutely wonderful to us. We’re blessed, truly.
I’m feeling pretty well after the treatment. I’m a little tired and a little nauseous, but this too shall pass. I’m looking forward to my next treatment in 2 weeks. I can’t wait to knock this disease out of the park! Bring it, cancer! You messed with the wrong lady! Tomorrow, I go for my brain MRI as well as my shot of Neulasta.
Our last of the firsts was speaking to Jameson and Chase about what’s been going on. We told them that I have cancer. They’re aware of the fact that I might be a little bit more tired, that I will be losing my hair, and that my breasts need to be removed. After we finished talking to them in kid terms, Jameson asked if she could continue painting and Chase kept running around the house with his sword! It was important for us to be honest with our kids and to answer any questions that they might be having. Although we hadn’t spoken in detail with the kids up until this point, kids are smart – they’re very perceptive. They knew something was out of the ordinary in our home. Now, everything is out in the open, the Big C word was mentioned, and the door is open for any and all questions.
A friend of ours, Becca, was kind enough to speak with me prior to beginning chemotherapy. She said that this world wind reminded her of the opening of the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. If you haven’t seen the movie, just go out and buy it. You won’t be sorry. It’s inspiring, sentimental, and just plain awesome. The movie hits home for Sal and I because it’s the first Christmas movie we watched together when we were 15 or 16 years old. It was also my late Dad’s favorite movie as well as my late Uncle Joe’s favorite movie. The message that the movie offers touches all generations. Anyway, at the beginning of the movie, everyone is praying for a man named George Bailey. God hears the prayers and sends an Angel named Clarence down from heaven to help George. I know this to be fact: God hears us and listens. I appreciate all of your prayers so much and know that God is listening. I’ve already received my angel. Her name is Cameron. Now, all I need is to be healed. So, let’s keep the prayers going because it really is a wonderful life and I want to continue living it. As a side note, Tommy Tigue, I apologize for the Christmas Eve incident of 1995!!
Have a great night! You’ll hear from me again tomorrow.
LIVESTRONG and God Bless!!
You ROCK!!!!!!!!!!! That’s all I can say…imagine that…me speechless. hahaa XOXOXOXO
Barb, all this talk about Christmas movies and knowing you received your first dose of chemo today made me think of something. In Home Alone, Kevin orders a pizza and doesn’t want the delivery guy to know he’s alone. He plays a recorded video of a mobster movie. It went something like this: “I’ll give you to the count of ten to get your dirty, yella, no good keister of my property; or else I’ll pump you full of lead. One…two…TEN…!! (gunshots)” Chemotherapy may be “pumping you full of lead” right now, but you’re never alone and are the most well equipped fighter that I know! Hang in there!! Xoxo
I’m so happy that your first treatment went well! I was thinking about you and praying for you at 9am this morning! And so the kids are off to school…Jameson will probably be learning her phonics and sight words soon enough…such an exciting time! Emily just learned how to read the pre-reader books and is very proud of herself! We got to meet her first grade teacher tonight at curriculum night! Our girls don’t start back until after labor day. Good night…can’t wait to read your blog tomorrow night! Rock on Barb!!
It certainly does appear this cancer thing has messed with the wrong lady!
just the fact that you can have all this going on and a day like “day one” and have the oomph to write your blog with such thought, humor and gratefulness to so many.
i am not a facebook girl and this is my first experience with a blog and i am loving this and your way to communicate with everyone Barb.
keep up your strength while enjoying your king, princess and queen.
hugs.
I feel so flattered that I got a reference in today’s blog :)!! Barb,I was thinking about you ALL day and I do know your name was being said over and over again in heaven — and God sent another angel and it sounds like her name is Lisa! I have learned that angels breathe and through this journey, you will find them. There’s NOTHING like a good oncology nurse! So glad you got a chance to get everything out in the open and now you can just get to the process of healing! Your hair will go fast, dear…I’m sure you’ve heard that…but I can see from your picture that you have a gorgeous face, so now everyone will see that even better than they did before and your eyes will glow! So glad the happenin’ thing now in fashion is scarves — you’ll rock in them!
So proud of you Barb! Strangely enough, chatting with you at school this morning before you left for your first treatment made my day. You are a warrior! Having witnessed the Christmas Eve incident of 1995, I have one question…why couldn’t you and Sal just watch Nestor the Long Eared Christmas Donkey instead????
Love,
Kristin
I’m not a blog reader, but this has to be the most inspirational blog out there… My husband calls me a robot, cause I never show emotion… but that Christmas story got me… tears and all. I better not let him see me read your blog or my rough and tough image will be destroyed!!! I do believe in the power of positive thoughts and prayers and you definitely have ours right now. And what can be better than having your very own angel. Check in soon!
Barb, you are f-ing amazing! Sorry I swore on your blog. I have also been with you in thought and prayer all day, and will continue to be. And I can’t believe you wrote on your blog today…my daughter is 15 months old and I still don’t have a photo album made of her yet! Good for you for sharing with Jameson and Chase, right on! I am so glad you got to start today getting rid of this beast…onward, sister! 🙂 xo
Barb,
My good friend Maria passed this along to me. It is a song by Martina McBride called “I’m gonna love you through it”
It is a testimony for the love that you & Sal have for each other.
It hits home. Sal reminds me everyday why you & I married the family god intended us to.
Stay strong & continue all your positive thoughts!
❤
Lisa
Barb ! You are amazing ! Thought of you all day yesterday ! You are going to beat this and there won’t be anything you cannot do !!!!!
Hey Barb – so glad to hear your first day went so well! That said, did you have to ruin my day by bringing up the infamous Christmas Eve of 1995 incident?!?! It was a Festivus miracle that my brother ever forgave me! Keep up the good work! Love, Colleen
Barb thank u for sharing your journey. Several years ago Sal’s family walked a cancer route with my husband and I and our four young son’s. They were there every step of the way with us. I am feeling honored to be praying n walking with u and your family. God never sends us anything that is an inch to long or an ounce to heavy . He is always walking with us or carrying us . One of my very good friends has a very similar story to yours, I am going to send her your blog. Her story mirrors yours in my aspects. Her name is Lael Swank. Your wonderful attitude is very apparent.
Hi Barb!
Bob and I just found out this week about all that you are going through. The first thing I thought, was “Oh my God, how terrible”, but my second, was “Barb WILL beat this”!! You are truly an inspiration and I knew your positive attitude would prevail, along with Sal’s. You are right, he is an amazing man and will be with you every step of the way – that I know! (Happy Anniversary!) Thank you for entering the technology world and blogging about your experiences! I will be following your journey as you kick the Big C out of your world!! We will add to those praying for you on a regular basis for sure.
Best wishes – thoughts and prayers!
Bob & Christy
Hey there Barb…I am so sorry that you have to go through this ordeal. (I am afraid to write something because everyone will be reading it..ha ha!)Just a little joke to make you smile…that wonderful sweet smile of yours! I started praying for you the minute I first heard about it and will not stop. I pray for you every day! I placed your name in my church prayer petition book and my Bible study prayer group is starting up soon in the fall so I will have everyone in my prayer group praying for you,too. I will be lighting a lot of candles for you in church too. As a tear trikles down, please know that I am always there for you ..if you need me for anything, ANYTHING, such as to bring supper up for you guys..I can cook kid friendly meals too..even bring some cookies, please it is not a bother, please please let me know. I will be more than happy to do it. I know God put you in my life for a reason…I am blessed to know you and your family. Keep smiling! You are going to be OK. I know you will fight this. Love ya! God bless! – Love, Blaise xo